Accident Avoidance and Driver Assist Technologies

A variety of Ford technologies, in addition to each vehicle’s handling and braking capabilities, can assist drivers by helping the driver control the vehicle or alerting the driver to potential risks. Also, these technologies can support everyday driving tasks by improving comfort and reducing demands on the driver. The all-new 2013 Ford Fusion is just one of the vehicles in the Ford lineup to offer a portfolio of these types of technologies.

Adaptive Cruise Control

The Fusion offers Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), for example. ACC helps drivers maintain a pre-set distance from the vehicle in front of them, using a radar module mounted at the front of the vehicle that measures the gap and closing speed to the vehicle ahead. The system automatically adjusts the speed of the car to help maintain a pre-set distance from the vehicle in front. Radar-based ACC is also available on the Ford Taurus, Edge, Flex and Explorer and the Lincoln MKZ, MKS, MKX and MKT.

Collision Warning with Brake Support

The all-new Fusion also offers Ford’s Collision Warning with Brake Support technology, which uses the same radar module as the ACC to detect range and speed. Collision Warning with Brake Support activates a visual and audible warning when the system detects a high risk of collision with the vehicle in front. In addition, the brake system is pre-tensioned and the “servo boost” assistance system is modulated to provide faster brake performance (e.g., as soon as the driver lifts the gas pedal), if required by the driver. If the sensor becomes blocked by snow, ice or mud, the driver will receive a notice of reduced or suspended functionality. In addition to being available on the Fusion, this technology is available in North America on the Ford Taurus, Edge, Flex and Explorer and the Lincoln MKS, MKX, MKZ and MKT, and in Europe on the Ford Mondeo, S-MAX, Galaxy and Focus.

Lane Keeping System

The Fusion also offers Ford’s Lane Keeping System, which consists of three elements to help a driver maintain proper lane position: Driver Alert, Lane Keeping Alert and Lane Keeping Aid. Using a small, forward-facing camera behind the inside rearview mirror, the system “looks” down the road, monitoring lane lines to determine that the vehicle remains in its lane. Driver Alert computes a “vigilance level” for the driver and displays it in the instrument cluster upon request. The vigilance judgment is based on statistical analysis of lane information collected by the forward-looking camera and the vehicle’s yaw behavior. If the system-calculated vigilance level falls below a certain level (e.g., if the driver gets tired), visual and audible warnings are given. Lane Keeping Alert is designed to warn the driver, via a three-pulse vibration in the steering wheel, when the front-view camera detects that an unintentional lane departure is happening. Lane Keeping Aid goes a step further, applying a steering torque in the direction the driver needs to steer to keep the vehicle in the current lane.

Lane Keeping System can be activated and deactivated manually via a switch on the turn indicator stalk. When the system is activated, drivers have the option of choosing Alert mode, Aid mode or a combination of both. The system is automatically deactivated at speeds below 38 mph, so as not to interfere in urban conditions when intentional lane crossing is relatively frequent. In North America, Lane Keeping System is available on the 2013 Lincoln MKS, MKT and MKZ and the 2013 Ford Explorer, in addition to the Fusion. In Europe, it is available on the Ford Focus, Kuga and C-MAX. Also, Lane Keeping Alert and Driver Alert are available in Europe on the new Ford Transit, Turneo Custom, Mondeo, S-MAX and Galaxy.

Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with Cross Traffic Alert

The Fusion’s available Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with Cross Traffic Alert uses rear corner-mounted, side-looking radar that detects other vehicles around the car and illuminates an indicator lamp in the rearview mirror. When backing out of a parking space, the same sensors can detect vehicles approaching from the sides that may not be visible to the driver. BLIS is also available on the Ford Taurus, Escape, Edge, Flex and Explorer and the Lincoln MKZ, MKS, MKX and MKT. BLIS (without the Cross Traffic Alert element) is available in Europe on the Ford Mondeo, S-MAX, Galaxy, C-MAX, Focus and Kuga.

Active Park Assist

The new Fusion also offers Active Park Assist. Active Park Assist uses ultrasonic sensors, while the driver is slowly driving near parking spots, to measure the distance between cars. When a suitable parking space is found, Active Park Assist can steer the car into the parking space while the driver controls the shifting, accelerator and brake. Active Park Assist is also available on the Ford Focus, Fusion, Taurus, C-MAX, Escape, Flex and Explorer, as well as the Lincoln MKS, MKZ and MKT and in Europe on the Kuga, Focus and C-MAX.

Rear View Camera

Finally, the Fusion offers a Rear View Camera, which transmits an image of what is behind the vehicle when it is shifted in reverse. Rear View Camera is available on every Ford and Lincoln vehicle in North America. In Europe, Rear View Camera is offered on the Ford Focus, B-MAX, C-MAX, S-MAX and Kuga.

Curve Control

In addition to the technologies featured on the new Fusion, Ford offers several other accident avoidance and driver assist technologies on some of our other vehicles. Curve Control, for example, is designed to sense when a driver is taking a curve too quickly. In those situations, it rapidly reduces engine torque and can apply four-wheel braking, slowing the vehicle by up to 10 mph in about a second. The technology is designed to be effective on wet or dry pavement, and is expected to be helpful when drivers are entering or exiting freeway ramps with too much speed. In North America Curve Control is available on the Ford Explorer, Taurus, Flex and Escape, as well as the Lincoln MKS and MKT. In Europe, it is available on the Ford Kuga. A majority of Ford’s North American products will offer Curve Control by 2015.

Active City Stop

Using a forward-looking radar sensor, Active City Stop is designed to detect objects in front of the car and constantly (50 times per second) calculate the braking force required to avoid a collision. If the estimated braking force exceeds a given level without the driver responding, the danger of a collision is considered imminent and the system automatically reduces throttle input and applies the car’s brakes. The system is designed for speeds below 20 mph (30km/h). Active City Stop is available in Europe on the Ford Kuga, Focus, Fiesta and C-MAX.